A Year in the Garden Series

Join us for a yearlong gardening experience where participants will learn everything from garden planning and fall prep to seed sourcing, bed layout, plant care, harvesting, food prep and more. Come to the whole series or choose which classes you would like to join. Help us grow our local food web and build community while working together in this immersive experience.

Location: Rieth Village: 4415 W 200 S, Albion, IN 46701

Cost: $15 each 

Registration: Click on the title(s) of the programs you are interested in!

1. Winter prep and spring planning – November 8, 2025

The first session in this series is for anyone, whether you already have a garden, want one, or have never gardened before. It’s a space to learn together, share knowledge, and explore the world of gardening and food preservation. We will guide you through the process of designing a garden that works for your space as well as what foods you and your family will actually eat. We’ll wrap up with a simple meal made with fresh ingredients harvested from our fall garden.

2. In the Dark of Winter, We Look Forward to Spring – January 31, 2026

Join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore how to grow and enjoy local food year-round. Learn where to source seeds and supplies, compare grow lights, starter trays, and soil mixes, and start seeds together for onions, herbs, and native companion plants. We’ll also make corn tortillas, cook dry bean and squash, and make quesadillas, a delicious way to eat locally through the winter.

3. Early Spring Gardening – March 14, 2026
In this session, we’ll start cool season crops like cabbage, kale, broccoli, spinach, peas, and more. We’ll also cover transplanting vs. direct seeding, seedling care, planting calendars, and how to prep your garden beds. Then we’ll bake sourdough bread together and enjoy it with homemade summer fruit jams.

4. Planting Your Summer Garden – May 16, 2026 

We’ll transplant warm season favorites like tomatoes, peppers, okra, eggplant, squash, basil, and flowers. Learn about proper spacing, pruning, trellising, essential tools, and how to use cover crops to support your soil. We’ll wrap up by making fresh tomato basil soup with grilled cheese.

5. The Buzz of Summertime – July 11, 2026 

We’ll harvest fresh veggies and discuss food preservation basics, how to handle garden abundance, weeding and mulching strategies, and mid-season fertilization. Then we’ll cook fresh pasta with tomato sauce and make a caprese salad.

6. Fall Preservation & Seed Saving – September 26, 2026

Learn hands-on techniques for wet and dry seed saving, canning tomatoes, and explore methods like drying, fermenting, and pickling. We’ll wrap up by enjoying fall favorites together like caramel apples, popcorn, and fresh apple cider.

7. Turning Inwards, Reflections & Planning – November 7, 2026 

As the gardening season winds down, we’ll reflect on the highs and lows of our gardening year. Share seeds, stories, and lessons learned from the year, and dream up plans for next season. We’ll enjoy herbal teas made from dried herbs and flowers, alongside homemade chicken soup and bread.